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Fair Brook & Kinder Northern Edges from Birchen Clough

Peak District Walk

Nat Park - Peak District - Kinder Scout Edale

County/Area - Derbyshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 8.5 miles / 13.8 km    Ascent - 1065 feet / 323 metres

Time - 5 hours 20 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Fair Brook & Kinder Northern Edges
Click image to visit gallery of 9 images.

This Peak District walk tackles the interesting route up Fair Brook to gain the Kinder Plateau then follows the northern edge to reach Ashop Head. The return is via the Snake Path with open views of the outward route. Despite venturing onto the Kinder Plateau it avoids many of the problems of the peat hags and is suitable for most times of the year. It also avoids complicated compass work as for most of the route you have clear landmarks although around Ashop Head a good sense of direction is required in periods of poor visibility.

The start is the small car park at Birchen Clough on the A57 Snake Road (Grid ref. SK109914). To avoid some walking on this busy road cross over and go through the gate descending through the woods to a stream. Follow this down staying on the east bank to reach the River Ashop. Do not cross the footbridge on your right and instead turn left on the clear path, which climbs to reach the main road. Turn right towards Sheffield past the Snake Inn and take the first signed footpath on the right. This leads down to a footbridge over the River Ashop (Grid ref. SK114902).

Cross the bridge and follow the river downstream before turning right at the first brook. This is Fair Brook. Follow this upstream staying on the west side for the climb onto the Plateau. Near the top your clamber through rocks to reach the edge path. Turn right to reach Fairbrook Naze, which looks like a ship's prow from the valley.

Stay on the edge path with good views to your right. Away to your left are the peat hags that make Kinder so infamous! Generally the path is fairly dry although there are some unavoidable sections that can be wet and boggy after rain. As you continue along the edge, heading almost due west, you will pass some interesting weathered millstone grit rock features including the "Boxing Gloves".

After about two miles (which in fact seems much longer) you reach the Pennine Way at the top of Ashop Head. Turn right and descend steeply over a flagged path to Ashop Head. At the cross path (Grid ref. 063902) turn right. This is the Snake Path, which leads you back to the start. In places it can again be boggy although most of the worst sections have now been paved. Entering the woods (grid ref. 102907) keep on the lower path that runs parallel to the River Ashop. Cross the footbridge and turn left. You have now rejoined the outward route and all you need do is retrace your steps back to the parking area.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1489 Blackden Brook, Kinder & Upper Ashopmoderate6.8 miles
Walk 3049 Bleaklow Stones from Derwent Valleymod/hard12.0 miles
Walk 1159 Grindsbrook & Edale Head from Edalemoderate7.5 miles
Walk 1264 Rushup Edge & Crowden Towermoderate10.0 miles
Walk 1295 Ringing Roger & Edale Crossmoderate10.0 miles
Walk 2595 Castleton Great Ridge from Edalemoderate8.5 miles
Walk 2615 The Kinder Edgesmod/hard18.0 miles
Walk 3350 Kinder Scout Summitmoderate8.5 miles
Walk 1113 Ringing Roger & Grindslow Knollmoderate5.5 miles
Walk 1300 Hope Cross & Ringing Rogermoderate8.0 miles

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Walking in the Peak District - White Peak East

Walking in the Peak District - White Peak EastGuidebook describing 42 half-day and day walks in the limestone landscapes of Derbyshire's White Peak, part of the Peak District National Park. One of two volumes, this book covers the east of the region, with potential bases including Bakewell, Eyam, Castleton, Birchover, Matlock and Wirksworth.
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